Chronically late people might have different reasons for their lateness, but the end result is the same: Friends, family and colleagues who are constantly waiting for an individual feel slighted.
Chronically late people might have different reasons for their lateness, but the end result is the same: Friends, family and colleagues who are constantly waiting for an individual feel slighted.
DEAR PAM: We have a friend in our group who is habitually late to everything, and it人妖色情片檚 driving all of us crazy. In fact, if we人妖色情片檙e all going to meet for dinner, we tell her dinner begins 30 minutes earlier than it does just to get her there on time. Constantly waiting for her is becoming annoying and exasperating to all of us. Is she being rude, or are we being too picky? Signed, Irritated and Frustrated
DEAR IRRITATED: No, I don人妖色情片檛 think you or your friends are being too picky, and I certainly understand your frustration. When someone is consistently late, whether it人妖色情片檚 for coffee, a work meeting, or even a casual hangout, they send an unspoken message that their time is more important than everyone else人妖色情片檚. As if they are essentially saying, 人妖色情片淚 value my schedule, my routine, or my last-minute emails more than the time you人妖色情片檝e set aside for me.人妖色情片
Even if that人妖色情片檚 not their intention, that人妖色情片檚 how it can feel on the receiving end. And it人妖色情片檚 not just about the inconvenience 人妖色情片 it人妖色情片檚 about the rhythm of the moment. Lateness disrupts the natural flow of things. It人妖色情片檚 like hitting the snooze button on everyone人妖色情片檚 shared time.
Having said that, life happens. We all occasionally find ourselves rushing through traffic or muttering apologies as we slip into a meeting five minutes behind schedule.
And for some, getting somewhere on time takes a ton of effort. Parents who juggle children, employees managing tight schedules, etc., sporadically make it very difficult to arrive somewhere on time.
In those cases, grace should be given. It人妖色情片檚 those who are chronically late to which I am referring.
What chronic lateness says about a person
When lateness becomes a habit, it can reveal certain traits or patterns such as poor time management skills, a lack of organization, or an inability to set priorities. For some, it could stem from an optimistic underestimation of how long tasks take, leading to unrealistic scheduling. Others may struggle with procrastination or distractions that prevent them from adhering to plans.
However, chronic lateness can also point to deeper issues, such as anxiety, perfectionism, or an unconscious resistance to certain commitments. For instance, someone who habitually arrives late at a disliked activity might be expressing a subtle form of avoidance.
Yet regardless of the underlying causes, consistent tardiness tends to be interpreted as a lack of accountability which can tarnish reputations and credibility.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, being consistently late isn人妖色情片檛 just about time; it人妖色情片檚 about relationships. It人妖色情片檚 about showing up for people 人妖色情片 literally and figuratively. So, let人妖色情片檚 all try to be a little more mindful. Life人妖色情片檚 too short to keep people waiting.
Pam Harvit is a certified international corporate protocol and etiquette consultant and speaks nationally on business and medical etiquette, as well as other related topics. You may request her services or email your questions to .
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